Society of North American Goldsmiths Publishes Second Installment of Professional Guidelines

The Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG), the association of jewelers, designers and metalsmiths, has published the second installment of its recommended Professional Guidelines on its web site at http://www.snagmetalsmith.org/infocentral/professionalguidelines.asp
(downloadable pdf files).

The two new topics are (1) Open Studios: Artist Checklist and a Guide for Organizations sponsoring an Open Studio event, and (2) Fundraising Auctions: Issues and Checklist from the artist's perspective. Separate sections on Fundraising Auctions are forthcoming from the additional perspectives of the Art Organizations, the Galleries, and the Collectors.

The first installment of the Professional Guidelines was published two years ago and adopted by many institutions, encompassing Exhibitions; Model Consignment Agreement (annotated); Discounts; Claims for Damaged Work; Juried Exhibitions; and an exhaustive bibliography of legal and profes-sional advice.

The guidelines provide practical advice and checklists on recurring issues within the art and craft communities; their relevance is not limited to jewelers and metalsmiths. Studio jeweler Andy Cooperman has been working with Harriete Estel Berman, who spearheaded this entire project, and her committee on the most recent topics.

"The lack of clear professional guidelines has become more and more of a problem. These Guidelines advocate certain good practices and discourage others," said Dana Singer, SNAG executive director. "SNAG remains committed to our original, primary goals: the creation of equitable guidelines for everyone working in the crafts field, and the protection of the artists' rights within that context. We hope that these suggestions will gradually become standard practice."

Additional installments are planned over the next few years and topics will include Museum Acquisitions, Sales Representative contracts, and Fair/Show= Applications.

SNAG provides a range of programs and services to its 3,500+ members. SNAG publishes Metalsmith magazine, and a 16-page newsletter, each 5 times a year. Visit us at www.snagmetalsmith.org, or contact the SNAG/Metalsmith Business Office at (630) 852-6385.